Gin and Tonic
Alessandro Scire CalabrisottoShare
Crisp, bracing and endlessly refreshing, the Gin and Tonic is the cocktail that needs no introduction. Two ingredients, a wedge of citrus and plenty of ice add up to one of the most beloved drinks in the world — a long, cooling classic that manages to feel both effortlessly casual and quietly elegant. Few serves are simpler; fewer still are this rewarding to perfect.
History of the Gin and Tonic
The Gin and Tonic was born of necessity in nineteenth-century India. Tonic water owed its bitterness to quinine, extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree, which was used as a treatment against malaria. The medicine was unpalatable on its own, so soldiers and officials of the British presence in India began softening their daily ration with sugar, soda and, crucially, gin.
The result was far more pleasant than the medicine alone, and the habit stuck. Commercial tonic water soon followed: in 1858 the entrepreneur Erasmus Bond patented a quinine-flavoured "tonic water," and brands such as Schweppes helped carry it around the British Empire. As expatriates returned home, the Gin and Tonic travelled with them, evolving from tropical remedy into a timeless drink enjoyed the world over.
Recipe: How to Make a Classic Gin and Tonic
Ingredients:
- 50 ml (1.7 oz) gin
- 150 ml (5 oz) chilled tonic water
- 1 wedge or wheel of lime (or lemon)
Instructions:
- Fill a highball or large balloon glass with plenty of cubed ice.
- Pour the gin over the ice.
- Top gently with chilled tonic water.
- Stir once, briefly, to combine without losing the fizz.
- Garnish with the citrus and serve at once.
Tips for Perfection:
- Use lots of ice — it keeps the drink colder and, counter-intuitively, less watery.
- Always open fresh tonic; flat tonic is the quickest way to ruin a G&T.
- Match your garnish to your gin: citrus for classic styles, cucumber or herbs for floral ones.
Additional Recommendations
Variations:
- Spanish-style G&T: serve in a large copa glass with elaborate botanical garnishes.
- Cucumber G&T: garnish with cucumber ribbons for a cool, fresh edge.
- Pink gin version: use a flavoured pink gin and finish with fresh berries.
Pairings:
- Salted nuts, olives and other crisp aperitivo snacks.
- Fresh seafood such as oysters or prawns.
- Tangy citrus-dressed salads.
Presentation:
- Choose a large balloon glass to show off the ice and garnish.
- Express the citrus peel over the surface for a fragrant lift.
Curiosity: A Fun Fact About the Gin and Tonic
The drink was once considered practically medicinal. Winston Churchill is famously quoted as claiming the Gin and Tonic "saved more Englishmen's lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire" — a tongue-in-cheek nod to its origins as a vehicle for anti-malarial quinine.